Abstract

Soil salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that limit seed germination and plant growth, causing yield loss in crop species. The phytotoxic effects of salt stress on seed germination and early growth of physic nut ( Jatropha curcas L.) seedlings were investigated in the present study. Physic nut seeds were subjected to five levels of salinity [0 (control); 25; 50; 75 and 100 mmol L -1 of NaCl], using the solution-paper method, with five replications. The experimental unit consisted in a germitest paper roll with 25 physic nut seeds. Salt treatments were evaluated based on the following tests: first count of germination test (7 days), total germination (12 days) and early growth of physic nut seedlings (12 days). Results showed that the addition of 100 mmol L -1 of NaCl reduced the first count of germination test (45%), total germination (50%), shoot length (42%), root length (59%), shoot dry matter (34%) and root dry matter (44%) of physic nut seedlings compared to the NaCl-free control. The exposure to high salt concentrations severely restricted the seed germination and early growth of physic nut seedlings. These data suggest that physic nut crop is a moderately sensitive species to high salinity levels during the stage of seed germination and early seedling growth. Normal 0 21 false false false PT-BR X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Tabela normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;}

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.